How to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene With Braces or Invisalign

Surprisingly, the most important thing about orthodontic treatment has nothing to do with orthodontics...it's actually oral hygiene. Even the best Smile Makers result won't look quite as good without healthy teeth and gums. Proper brushing and flossing is essential to your orthodontic treatment, which is why we give personalized hygiene instructions the day we place braces, start Invisalign treatment or deliver retainers. We also check hygiene during every adjustment and give further guidance if needed. Good oral hygiene is essential because excessive plaque buildup can lead to infected/bleeding gums and tooth decalcification (those white "scars" that can be seen around the braces and at the gum line).

Maintaining good oral hygiene with braces is similar to your everyday brushing and flossing. When brushing with braces, you must pay particular attention to the areas around the brackets, under the wire and around the gum line. The gum line in particular is very important to pay attention to, as it is the most common place for plaque buildup. Use gentle circles when brushing this area to avoid damage to the gums. Electronic toothbrushes will often have built-in timers to make sure you're brushing the full two minutes, which can give you a great advantage. Water picks also help remove large pieces of food and plaque, but remember, they don’t replace proper brushing! One of the most common areas for cavities is between teeth. This is why good flossing is important with braces and fixed/“permanent” retainers. Specialized water flossers and floss threaders can be used to clean between teeth with braces or wire retainers. Don't worry! We give thorough instruction on these flossing techniques.

Finally, let's discuss hygiene for Invisalign treatment and clear removable retainers. The good news is that once your trays are removed, you will brush and floss like normal once the trays are out. The main recommendation to maintain healthy teeth is to avoid eating or drinking while the trays are in. Any liquids besides water will likely contain a color, sugar or acid that can stain or damage your teeth if you drink them with the trays in. Cleaning your trays will be the most critical part of maintaining good hygiene. Daily brushing of the trays (mostly the inside portion in contact with the teeth) with a non-abrasive toothpaste and occasionally with antibacterial soap is essential. Recently, small ultrasonic cleaners have been introduced to add cleaning power to your clear aligners and retainers. Just remember, a lot of time and effort will be put into your Smile Makers smile, so be sure to maximize your results with excellent oral care!